5 top tips for gardening sustainability with Matthew Lee - Head Gardener at Horatio's Garden

We had the pleasure of chatting with Head Gardener Matthew Lee, who made the inspiring move from 18 years in the NHS to a professional career in horticulture. His journey is rooted in care - for people, and now for plants and the planet too.

In our conversation, Matthew shared his Top 10 Sustainable Gardening Tips—practical, creative ideas that can help reduce waste, save money, and keep your garden eco-conscious. From repurposing everyday items to growing smarter, these tips are for gardeners of all levels.

Matthew’s Top 10 Tips for a More Sustainable Garden:

1. Make your own paper using old cardboard

Who doesn’t have a pile of Amazon boxes hanging around? Matthew suggests turning this everyday waste into handmade paper—especially perfect for seed paper. Simply soak, blend, and re-mould into sheets, adding in wildflower or herb seeds. A brilliant way to recycle and sow something beautiful.

2. Repurpose your spring bulbs

After your bulbs have finished flowering in pots, don’t throw them away! Plant them into the ground to create an ornamental meadow effect that returns year after year. It’s a lovely way to naturalise your space and extend the life of your plants.

3. Propagate, swap and share

Cuttings, seedlings, divided perennials—there’s no need to buy new plants when you can grow your own and share with others. Seed swaps with friends or local groups help reduce commercial waste and encourage a sense of community.

4. Go Peat Free!

Peatlands store more carbon than all the world’s forests combined. Harvesting peat for gardening contributes significantly to CO₂ emissions so switching to peat-free compost protects fragile ecosystems and is one of the most powerful choices you can make as a gardener.

5. Use a rotating composter

A rotating composter, like this one, speeds up the breakdown of organic matter, making rich compost faster. It also reduces methane emissions from household food waste and improves aeration, keeping your compost fresh and effective.

6. Collect rainwater

Installing a water butt or repurposing a large container helps reduce reliance on treated tap water. Matthew also recommends creating a wildlife pond or a mini bog garden in an old tin bath or zinc planter - both brilliant ways to conserve water and support biodiversity.

7. Grow drought-tolerant plants

Succulents like echeverias, sedums, aeoniums, and crassulas are perfect for dry gardens or container displays. These water-wise plants store moisture in their leaves, stems, or roots, and come in a wide range of forms and colours - low maintenance, high impact

8. Use solar lighting

Swap electric garden lights for solar-powered alternatives. They’re energy-efficient, require no wiring, and harness the sun’s power to add gentle ambiance to your garden after dark.

9. Sow a mini meadow in a window box

Even the smallest space can make a difference. A window box meadow attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It’s low-maintenance, beautiful, and boosts urban biodiversity—perfect for balcony or city gardeners.

10. Reduce your carbon footprint

Shop locally whenever you can—support nurseries that grow their own plants and look for peat-free compost suppliers in your area. Not only does it cut down on transport emissions, but it also strengthens your local gardening community.

These simple swaps and sustainable habits go a long way in creating a greener, more mindful garden. As Matthew says, “You don’t need to change everything—just start with one thing, and the rest will follow.”

Happy Earth Day!